Door check structure



Feb. 18, 1941.

' P. H. TRAVIS DOOR CHECK STRUCTURE Filed July 1, 1940 3 "Sheets-Sheet l FIG.5Q

INVENTOR.

PAUL H'.TRAVIS M15 ATTO%? Feb. 18, 1941. PI'H. TRAVIS I 2,232,498

noon CHECK STRUCTURE Filed July 1, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGJZQ INVENTOR. PAULHIRAVIS ATTORNEYS Feb. 18, 1941. P. H. TRAVIS DOOR CHECK STRUCTURE Filed July 1, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I Fri"! INVENTOR. PAUL H .TRAVIS ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 18, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 25 Claims.

This invention relates generally to door checks of the concealed type for limiting the opening movement of automobile doors and refers more particularly to a combination door check and re- 5 tainer.

One of the essential objects of the invention is to provide a door check of this type that has means for releasably holding or retaining the door in open position so that it will not accidentally swing toward closed position after being checked.

Another object is to provide a door check that includes a resilient means for cushioning or absorbing the shocks set up by checking the outward movement of the door.

Another object is to provide a door check wherein the means for retaining or holding the door in open position is flexible and includes a compressible portion that is in advance of the cushioning means just mentioned so that it will serve first as a yieldable brake for the door to slow up the opening movement thereof before it is checked, and will then function to retain or hold the door in open checked position.

. Another object is to provide a door check wherein both the retaining means and checking means have a common support which is preferably a stamping in the form of an elongated arm.

Another object is to provide a door check wherein the retaining means is held in an operative position on said arm by, but is movable longitudinally of said arm relative to the checking means.

Another object is to provide a door check wherein the retaining\means and checking means are assembled in such a way upon the supporting arm that separate fasteners are unnecessary and have been dispensed with entirely.

Another object is to provide a door check wherein the cushioning means is formed or provided with means for guiding the longitudinal move ment aforesaid of the retaining means.

Another object is to provide a door check wherein the parts thereof are constructed and arranged in such a way that there will be no rattling or objectionable noises set up at any time while the device is in use.

Another object is to provide a combination door check and retainer that comprises fewer parts; is less expensive to manufacture; is easy to install; and is positive and efficient in operation.

Another object is to provide a door check that is strong and durable in construction and that is capable of withstanding without injury thereto the severe shocks and strains to which they are subjected while in use. i

Other objects, advantages and novel details of 7 construction of this invention will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view through a swinging door, supporting hinge pillar therefor, and door check embodying my invention, and showing the arrangement of parts when the door is in open position;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the door in closed position;

Figure 3 is an end view of the cushioning element; I

Figure 4 is a detail view of the striker plate;

Figure 5 is a detail view of the buffer;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the hinge pillar and reenforcement and door check when the door is in open position illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 but showing the position of parts when the door is in partially open position;

Figure 8 is a detail view of the door check arm;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing a slight modification;

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the modified form illustrated in Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 6 but showing the modified form illustrated in Figure 9;

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 7 but showing the modified form illustrated in Figure 9;

Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing another modification;

Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the modification illustrated in Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 6 but showing the modification illustrated in Figure 13;

Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 7 but showing the modification illustrated in Figure 13;

Figure 17 is a view similar to Figure 11 but showing another modification.

Referring now to the drawings, A is the arm, B is the cushioning element, and C is the retaining or holding means of a combination door check. and retainer embodying my invention.

As shown, the arm A is a substantially fiat elongated metal stamping provided at one end 'with an opening ID for a pivot pin H and provided at its other end with a substantially rectangular head I2.

The cushioning element B comprises acylir drical body of rubber or rubber composition and is sleeved upon the arm A adjacent the head l2. Preferably a metal washer I3 is also sleeved on the arm A between the head I2 and cushioning element B and serves as a backer for the latter.

The retaining or holding means preferably comprises an elongated strip of spring steel return-bent substantially midway its ends and embracing the arm A. Preferably the bend H in the spring strip extends through an opening l5 in the arm A in proper spaced relation to the head |2, while the leg portions l6 and ll of the spring strip extend longitudinally of opposite sides of the arm A toward the head I2. Such legs I6 and I1 have outwardly bowed compressible portions l8 and I9 extending rearwardly from the bend H in laterally spaced relation to opposite sides of the arm A and have substantially flat end portions 20 and 2| slidably engaging opposite sides of the arm. By'referring to Figure 6 it will be noted that the flat end portions 20 and 2| of the spring strip are received in and guided by the walls of suitable slots or channels 22 and 23 in the cushioning element B and preferably terminate substantially midway thereof.

In the present instance I have illustrated my door check in combination with a door D and a hollow hinge pillar E of a motor vehicle, however, it is to be understood that such a door check may be used with any form of swinging door and its supporting pillar. As shown, the door check arm A extends substantially horizontally from the door D through a suitable opening 30 in the adjacent wall 3| of the hinge pillar E. The pivot pin H for the arm A is carried by two vertically spaced angle plates 32 fixed to the upright 32 of the door, while the head l2, cushioning element B, and spring retainer C are within the pillar E.

F is a channel-shaped reenforcement for the pillar within the latter and having lateral flanges 40 and 4| secured to the wall 3| thereof. 42 is a striker plate disposed in surface-to-surface relation with the base 43 of the reenforcement F, and 44 is a buffer disposed in surface-to-surface relation with the striker plate. Any suitable means such as the bolts 45 and nuts 46 may be used to secure the striker plate 42 and buffer 44 in assembled relation with the reenforcement F.

The striker plate 42 is preferably a metal plate and has an elongated opening 41 therein for the arm A and compressible portions l8 and IQ of the spring retainer C, while the buffer 44 is preferably a plate-like body or pad of rubber reenforced with fabric and has an elongated opening 48 for the arm A and slots 49 and 50, respectively, in opposite edges of said opening 48 for the compressible portions l8 and I9 of the spring retainer. A suitable opening 5| for the arm A and spring retainer C is provided in the base 43 of the reenforcement in alignment with the openings 30, 41 and 48.

In use, when the door D is opened, the compressible portions l8 and l! of the retainer C will engage and be compressed by the inner edges 6|) of the opening 41 in the striker plate so that such portions |8 and I! may pass through the opening 41 in the plate to the outer side thereof. Such engagement of the compressible portions l8 and I! with the striker plate will slow up or retard the outward swinging movement of the door D. The cushioning element B will then abut the buffer 44 to check the outward movement of the door. When in this position the compressible portions l8 and I9 of the retainer C are in expanded or non-compressed condition upon the outer side of the striker plate 42 so as to be en-- gageable with the outer edges 6| of the opening 41 in such plate to hold the door D in opened checked position so that it will not close accidentally against anyone entering or leaving the door opening of the motor vehicle.

When the door D is moved manually from opened to closed position, the compressible portions l8 and IQ of the spring retainer C will first engage and be compressed by the outer edges I of the opening 41 in the striker plate to its initial position. When compressed, regardless of whether the door D is moving outwardly or inwardly, the compressible portions l8 and I8 flatten out toward the adjacent sides of the arm A and cause the end portions 20 and 2| of the retainer to slide lengthwise of the guide grooves or channels 22 and 23 in the cushioning element B. Such grooves also serve effectively to prevent any displacement of the spring retainer C from the arm A.

In Figures 9 to 12, inclusive, I have illustrated a slight modification wherein the retainer C has two bowed portions and 1| arranged in tandem upon opposite sides of the arm A for successive engagement with the inner and outer edges 42 and 6|, respectively, of the striker plate 42. Otherwise, the structure is the same as in Figures 1 to 8, inclusive. With this construction there is a double braking or retarding action instead of only one during the opening movement of the door. Likewise, there are two open positions as shown in which the door D may be held after being checked.

In Figures 13 to 16, inclusive, I have illustrated another modification wherein the retaining means (3 has a greater bearing surface and comprises two separate leaf springs 80 and 8|, respectively, having substantially flat shanks 82 and 83 disposed in surface-to-surface engagement with and secured by one or more rivets 84 to opposite sides of the arm A and having compressible bowed portions 85 and 86 spaced laterally outward from said arm and terminating in substantially straight ends 81 and 88 also spaced laterally outward from the arm. Preferably the ends 81 and 88 of the springs also terminate short of the cushioning element B Thus, when the door D is opened relative to its supporting pillar IF, the bowed portions 85 and 86 will engage and be compressed by the inner edges 89 of the opening 90 in the striker plate 9| so that such portions 85 and 86 may pass through the opening 90 to the outer side of the striker plate. Such engagement of the compressible bowed portions 85 and 86 with the striker plate 9| will slow up or retard the outward swinging movement of the door D The cushioning element B will then abut the buffer 92 to check the outward movement of the door. When in this position, the bowed portions 85 and 46 are in normal expanded or non-compressed condition upon the outer side of the striker plate so as to be engageable with the outer edges 93 of the opening 90 in such plate to hold the door D in opened checked position.

When the door D is moved manually from opened to closed position, the compressible portions 85 and 86 will first engage and be compressed by the outer edges 93 of the opening 44 in the striker plate so that such portions 85 and 66 may return through the opening 90 to the irmer side of the striker plate to its initial position. When compressed during either outward or inward swinging movement of the door, the bowed portions 85 and 86 of the retaining means flatten out toward the adjacent sides of the arm A and cause the ends 81 and 88 to move toward and lengthwise of said arm.

In Figure 17 I have illustrated a further modifl-- cation wherein the retaining means ('2 has two sets of compressible bowed portions I and IM similar to the bowed portions 85 and 88 arranged in tandem upon opposite sides of the arm A for successive engagement with the inner and outer edges 88 and 93, respectively, of the striker plate 9|. Otherwise, the structure is substantially the same as in Figures 13 to 16, inclusive.

Thus, from the foregoing it will be apparent that the door checks shown and described herein are simple yet strong and durable'in constructionand can be manufactured at a comparatively low cost. In each instance, the cushioning element is preferably made 0! rubber or rubber composition, howeverit is apparent that such element may be made of any suitable material for yieldably cushioning the outward movement of the door. Likewise, the washers such as I 3 may be formed of any suitable material to serve efficiently as backers for the cushioning elements. The supporting arms such as A and A are preferably metal stampings, however they too may be any other material having sufiicient strength to function properly in the capacity for which they are designed. In each instance, the spring retainer, such as C and C, not only serves to hold the door in open position but also serves to slow up or retardthe opening movement of the door so that the shock resulting from being checked will be materially lessened. The resilient pad or buffer 44 will also serve to cushion such shock and to prevent the parts from rattling.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A door check structure having an elongated inflexible arm, a yieldable cushioning element, and a compressible retaining element, the yieldable element and retaining element being separate from and arranged in tandem on said arm, each being operable independently of the other.

2. A door check structure having an elongated inflexible arm, a yieldable cushioning element, and a compressible retaining element, the yieldable element being sleeved on said arm, and the retaining element being carried by and compressible toward said arm in longitudinally spaced relation to the cushioning element.

3. A door check structure having an elongated arm provided at one end with a head and provided in spaced relation to said head with an opening, a cushioning element sleeved on the arm beside said head, and a retaining element extending through said opening and extending longitudinally of said arm toward but terminating short of said head, a portion of the retaining element between the opening and cushioning element being bowed and compressible toward said arm.

4. A door check structure having an elongated arm provided at one end with a head and provided in spaced relation to said head with an opening, a strip-like spring retaining element extending through the opening and having leg portions extending longitudinally of the arm toward said head, and a cushioning element sleeved on said arm and portions of said legs, portions of said legs adjacent the opening being bowed and compressible toward said arm.

5. A door check structure having an elongated arm provided at one end with a head and provided in spaced relation to said head with an opening, a strip-like spring retaining element extending through the opening and having leg portions extending longitudinally of the arm toward said head, and a cushioning element sleeved on said arm and having guide slots therein receiving portions of said legs, portions of said legs between the cushioning element and opening being bowed and compressible toward said arm. I

6. A door check structure having an elongated arm provided at one end with a head, a yieldable cushioning element sleeved on said arm beside said head, and a spring retainer carried by said arm in spaced relation to the cushioning element and having a portion slidably engaging both the arm and cushioning element.

7. A door check structurehaving an elongated arm provided at one end with a head, a yieldable cushioning element sleeved on said arm beside said head, and a spring retainer carried by said arm and having a bowed portion and a substantially straight portion, the bowed portion being spaced from the cushioning element and compressible toward said arm, and the straight portion extending substantially axially of the cushioning element and adapted to slide relative thereto during compression of the bowed portion.

8. A door check structure having an elongated arm provided at one end with a head, a yieldable cushioning element sleeved on sai d arm beside said head, and a return-bent strip-like spring retainer carried by said arm, the bend of said retainer being anchored in said arm, and the rest of said retainer extending longitudinally of said arm into the cushioning element, parts of said retainer spaced from the cushioning element being bowed and compressible toward said arm.

9. A door check structure comprising a striker plate having an opening therethrough, a bufler beside the striker plate, an elongated arm extending through said opening and provided at one end with a head, a cushioning element on the arm beside the head and engageable with the buffer, and a strip-like spring carried by the arm having a bowed portion spaced from the cushioning element and compressible toward the arm by an edge of the opening in said striker plate.

10. A door check structure comprising a striker plate having an opening therethrough, a buffer beside thestriker plate, an elongated arm extending through said opening and provided at one end with a head, a cushioning element on the arm beside the head and engageable with the bufier, and means carried by the arm engageable with one edge of the opening in the striker plate to slow up engagement of the cushioning element with the buffer and engageable with another edge of the opening in the striker plate to yieldably retain the cushioning element in a predetermined posi-- tion relative to said buffer.

11. A door check structure havingan elongated arm, a yieldable cushioning element adjacent one end of said arm, and bowed leaf springs upon and compressible toward opposite sides of said arm in spaced relation to said cushioning element.

12. A door check structure comprising a striker plate having an opening therein, a check arm movable lengthwise in said opening, a butler carried by the striker plate, a yieldable cushioning element carried by the arm and engageable with the bufier to check movement of the arm in one direction relative to the striker plate. and bowed leaf spring means upon opposite sides of the arm and compressible by opposed edges of the opening in the striker plate, said bowed means being engageable with the striker plate when the cushioning element is in engagement with the buffer to yieldably retain the arm in checked position.

13. A door check structure comprising a striker plate having an opening therein, a check arm movable lengthwise in said opening, and bowed leaf spring means upon opposite sides of the arm and compressible by opposed edges of the opening in the striker plate to permit passage or said bowed means through said opening during longitudinal movement of the arm, said bowed means being engageable with the striker plate to yieldably retain the arm in a predetermined position relative to the striker plate.

14. A door check structure having an elongated arm, a yieldable cushioning element sleeved on said arm, and strips of spring steel upon opposite sides of said arm and provided in spaced relation to said cushioning element with outwardly bowed compressible portions. 1

15. A door check structure having a pivotally mounted arm, a cushioning element sleeved on said arm adjacent its free end, and strip-like springs on opposite sides of said arm intermediate itsends, each having outwardly bowed portions spaced from the cushioning element and compressible toward said arm.

16. A door check structure having a striker plate, a buffer on the striker plate, said parts having registering openings therein, a pivotally mounted arm movable lengthwise through said registering openings, a cushioning element on the arm adjacent its free end and engageable with the buffer to check the movement of the arm in one direction, and a strip-like spring on the arm intermediate its ends and provided in spaced relation to the cushioning element with an outwardly bowed portion engageable with an edge of the opening in the striker plate to hold the arm against movement in the opposite direction.

17. A door check structure having a striker plate, a buffer adjacent the striker plate, said parts having registering openings therein, an elongated arm movable lengthwise through said registering openings, a cushioning element on the arm and engageable with the buffer to check the movement of the arm in one direction, and an elongated member on the arm and provided in spaced relation to the cushioning element with a compressible portion engageable with an edge of the opening in the striker plate to hold the arm against movement in the opposite direction.

18. A door check structure having a striker plate provided with an opening, an elongated rigid arm movable lengthwise through said opening, and strip-like springs on opposite sides of the arm and having outwardly bowed portions engageable with opposed edges of said opening to hold the arm against movement in one direction.

19. A door check structure having a striker plate provided with an opening, a. rigid arm movable lengthwise through said opening, means on one side of said striker plate for checking movement of the arm in one direction including a resilient cushioning element sleeved on said arm, and means on the other side of said striker plate for checking movement of the arm in the opposite direction, including bowed leaf springs on opposite sides of said arm.

20. A door check structure having a striker plate provided with an opening, a buffer on the striker plate, a pivotally mounted rigid arm movable lengthwise through said opening, a cushioning element on the arm engageable with the buffer for checking movement of the arm in one direction,

and strip-like springs on opposite sides 0! the arm and having bowed portions engageable with opposed edges of the opening in the striker plate for checking movement of the arm in the opposite direction.

21. A door check structure comprising a striker plate having an opening therethrough, a butter on the striker plate, an elongated rigid arm movable lengthwise through said opening, a cushioning element on said arm and engageable with the buflfer to check movement of the arm in one direction, and means carried by the arm engageable with one edge of the opening in the striker plate to slow up engagement of the cushioning element with the buffer and engageable with another edge of the opening in the striker plate to yieldably retain the cushioning element in a predetermined position relative to said buffer. 1

22. A door check structure having a pivotally mounted rigid arm, a resilient cushioning element carried by said arm adjacent its free end, and a strip-like spring retainer carried by said am intermediate its ends and having an outwardly bowed portion spaced longitudinally or said arm from the cushioning element and compressible toward said arm, the cushioning element being compressible longitudinally of said arm, and the bowed portion of said retainer being operable as aforesaid independently of said cushioning element.

23. A door check structure having an elongated rigid arm provided at one end with a rigid head, a resilient cushioning element sleeved on the arm beside said head, and a strip-like spring retainer carried by said rigid arm and having an outwardly bowed portion upon one side of the arm in spaced relation to the cushioning element and compressible toward said arm, said cushioning element being .compressible longitudinally of said arm toward said head, and the bowed portion of said retainer being operable as aforesaid independently of said cushioning element and head.

24. A door check structure having an elongated rigid arm provided at one end with a rigid head, a resilient cushioning element sleeved on the arm beside said head, and a strip-like spring retainer carried by said arm and having outwardly bowed flexible portions arranged in tandem lengthwise of said arm in longitudinally spaced relation to said cushioning element and compressible toward said arm, said cushioning element being compressible longitudinally of said arm toward said head, and

said bowed portions being operable as aforesaid independently of said cushioning element and head.

25. A door check structure having an elongated rigid arm provided at one end with a rigid head, a resilient cushioning element sleeved on the arm beside said head, and a strip-like spring retainer carried by said arm and having outwardly bowed compressible portions arranged in tandem lengthwise of said arm in longitudinally spaced relation to said cushioning element, said cushioning element being compressible longitudinally of said arm toward said head, and said bowed portions being operable as aforesaid independently of said cushioning element and head.

PAUL H. TRAVIS. 

